Video Arts provides content for new learndirect apps
Training Reference reports on how Video Arts and its sister-company Tinopolis Interactive developed ten customised, job-related apps for online learning provider learndirect.
Called 'Fit for the job', the apps cover skills such as assertiveness, time management, interview skills and delivering presentations.
Each of the apps lasts 15 to 20 minutes with an introduction from Matthew Horne and video clips featuring well-known actors such as James Nesbitt, Dawn French, John Cleese, Hugh Laurie and Kris Marshall.
Multiple-choice exercises in the apps are designed to help people to check whether they understand concepts and there are also links to further development resources.
Peter Shufflebotham, head of learning content at learndirect, said: "Apps offer a quick and convenient way for people to develop their skills. In the current economic climate, there are more and more people who want help to find a job.
"We wanted to create apps that would be useful to a wide audience, not just first-time entrants to the workplace but people already in a job who are looking for something better, as well as those who've been made redundant... These apps can help them to do this in a timely way, like on the train or bus travelling to an interview or a meeting."
When setting the specification for the apps, learndirect was keen to include video. "Video can put a point across succinctly and effectively," said Peter Shufflebotham. "Video Arts was the natural choice for content because we've worked with them before on our NVQ courses. Their video content is engaging and effective. People can identify with the characters and the humour helps to make the learning memorable."
Martin Addison, managing director of Video Arts, said: "Video-rich mobile learning is a growth area in organisational development, as smartphones and tablet computers have brought in a dynamic, new way to consume learning content. In corporate training, the concept of providing short chunks of learning just-in-time is well established. Now the technology is there to fully embrace that principle."
learndirect says it will evaluate the success of its new apps by monitoring sales and customer feedback. The apps were created to learndirect's specifications by the independent TV and new media production company Tinopolis Group, of which Video Arts is a part.
